Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp has become the latest football icon to be inducted into the Premier League's Hall of Fame.
The Dutchman arrived in north London in 1995 and spent 11 years with the Gunners, winning three Premier League trophies before his retirement in 2006. The forward is remembered for his unrivalled technical ability, and his goal against Newcastle United in 2002 was voted the greatest in English top-flight history.
Elegant, intelligent and the craftsman behind one of the most beautiful Premier League goals ever scored
— Premier League (@premierleague) May 19, 2021
?⚪️ Dennis Bergkamp is inducted to the #PLHallOfFame pic.twitter.com/5Q6OftmoRQ
Bergkamp was honoured for his brilliant achievements by being inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame on Wednesday afternoon, following in the footsteps of former teammate Thierry Henry.
The Dutchman said he is "extremely proud" to be heralded as one of the first foreign players who changed and improved the English game, helping to turn it into the pulsating spectacle that we now know and love.
"I’m extremely proud if people say that I was one of the first foreign players who added something to the English game," Bergkamp said. "The Premier League most definitely made me a better player. From the moment I arrived in England I’ve embraced the English mentality and passion for football, it suited me and my style of play.
"Playing every game against good and tough opponents meant I improved all the time. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it."
Bergkamp arrived from Italian giants Inter in 1995 for a fee of £7.5m, and quickly set about becoming a regular in the Arsenal team. He scored 120 goals for the Gunners during his time in north London, including 87 in the Premier League.
His silky style of play transformed Arsenal's fortunes, where he would go on to win three Premier League titles, as well as four FA Cups. Bergkamp was also part of the famous Invincibles team of the 2003/04 season, scoring four goals in 28 matches.
He is best remembered for the stunning goal he scored against Newcastle in 2002, when he bamboozled a defender with an extraordinary touch, rolled his marker and stroked the ball into the back of the net.
He goes down as an all-time Arsenal legend, and he will now eternally be honoured as a Premier League icon, too.
Source: 90min
